Mundo in the Morning - KCMO Talk Radio 95.7FM & 710 AM

What If Wednesday: Iran, Jackson County Executive, and Kristi Noem | 4-1-26

8 min
Apr 1, 2026about 2 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

This What If Wednesday episode explores three hypothetical scenarios: a potential U.S. military strike on Iran and its political implications, Jackson County Executive Phil Levota's decision to run for election despite a previous pledge not to, and speculation about Kristi Noem's personal life following recent controversies.

Insights
  • Military action against Iran was likely taken despite political costs because the threat was assessed as real and escalating, suggesting decision-makers prioritized national security over midterm election positioning
  • Political pledges are contextual—when circumstances change significantly, candidates may reverse positions, and voters should evaluate performance rather than treating signed commitments as absolute disqualifiers
  • Media narratives around political figures can shift rapidly when new personal information emerges, creating opportunities for recontextualization of previous public statements
  • European allies' reluctance to support U.S. military actions while benefiting from security guarantees represents a geopolitical credibility and burden-sharing issue
Trends
U.S. military escalation in Middle East despite domestic political costs suggests threat assessment prioritized over electoral cyclesLocal political candidates breaking campaign pledges when circumstances change—testing voter tolerance for flexibility vs. consistencyPersonal scandals involving political figures creating retroactive reinterpretation of their previous public actionsTransatlantic security burden-sharing tensions and European reluctance to support U.S.-led military operationsMidterm election dynamics favoring opposition party despite incumbent party controlling all branches of government
Companies
Kansas City Chiefs
Jackson County Executive Phil Levota discussed efforts to retain the team in the county
People
Phil Levota
Filed for election as permanent County Executive despite previous pledge not to seek full-time position
Marco Rubio
Explained geopolitical rationale for U.S. military action against Iran and nuclear threat implications
Kristi Noem
Subject of speculation regarding personal life controversies and previous statements about killing her dog
Gail McCann-Bady
Fired by Phil Levota; host suggested she should have been removed long ago
Corey Lewandowski
Mentioned in connection with Kristi Noem personal life speculation
Quotes
"the fact that they did it signals to me that they knew the threat from Iran was real and it was legitimate and it was getting worse"
HostEarly in episode
"If you don't like the idea of Phil Levota being the permanent Jackson County Executive, then don't vote for him"
HostMid-episode
"A lie is a lie, somebody said to me. You know what though, when you get new information and circumstances change, he's doing it."
HostMid-episode
"getting to Paris is much easier than getting to Washington DC"
Marco Rubio (referenced)Early in episode
Full Transcript
! We'll be right back. From Lea Wood to Liberty, you're listening to Mundo in the morning on 95 7 fm KCMO talk radio. 8 50. Good morning. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for being here on KCMO talk radio. Let's roll it. It's time for What If Wednesday. What if instead of having you on this radio station, there was somebody else? Alright John, three questions. What is happening my man? What if the US could wait no longer to strike Iran? Well then the president had to make the executive decision as the commander in chief to do it now despite the fact that he had to know that there was going to be political ramifications for him here. And Marco Rubio laid it out very well last night in a minute and 48 second, not even a speech, really a clip and explanation that was put out there. The president is addressing the nation tonight that's happening at 8 p.m. We'll have it here on KCMO talk radio. The president also announcing this morning that Iran is asked for a ceasefire. So all of this is happening here this morning and obviously this will tie in whatever the president announces tonight in his first address since the war began 33 days ago. But there has been no upside to the president doing this politically speaking at this time months before a midterm election where his party has all the power in DC which typically is a bad cycle for the party in power. It's been no upside to it. So the fact that they did it signals to me that they knew the threat from Iran was real and it was legitimate and it was getting worse. And if they had not acted now things would have spiraled potentially further out of control and it would have been far more damaging potentially for our supposed allies in Europe who have been nothing but a bunch of freeloaders for far too long and are continuing to prove they're nothing but a bunch of freeloaders over the last couple of weeks. He asked him for a little bit of help. Not our problem. Well no guys it kind of is. Okay because as Marco Rubio said last night if you've got nuclear capabilities that were on the verge of potentially reaching to the United States I don't need to be a geopolitical expert to know getting to Paris is much easier than getting to Washington DC. And the fact that they have been so set in their ways on not wanting to be perceived as helping this administration despite the fact that they are benefiting from this as much as anybody else is so insulting and should be insulting to really every American on the left or the right. John what's next? What if the Interim Jackson County Executive is best positioned to lead the county into the future? Well then we should be glad that Phil Levota filed for election yesterday in Jackson County and he's going to join the show coming up in ten minutes. He signed a pledge last year saying as the Interim County Executive I will not seek the position full-time. And for some people they're hot and bothered by it. I've got emails, I've got texts, I've got tweets of people saying this is egregious, he said he wasn't going to do it, you know what's he doing? How dare you? It just doesn't bother me. A lie is a lie, somebody said to me. You know what though, when you get new information and circumstances change, he's doing it. And by the way, it's not like he's guaranteed to win, he's got to now win an election through a vote of the people. If you don't like the idea of Phil Levota being the permanent Jackson County Executive, then don't vote for him. And you'll have a lot of options. I just happen to think that the guy has been a relatively steady hand, has not been really partisan in any meaningful way, he's just focused on issues like, hey, it was too late when he got there, but how can we try to keep the chiefs? How do we get property taxes to be in a better place in this county? He fired the county assessor, Gail McCann-Bady, who should have been fired a long time ago and he's the previous guy who was too busy coach in First Base for the monarchs. Like there's a lot of stuff here that Phil Levota has done that has been very positive. And if you think the fact that he signed a piece of paper saying he wouldn't run is reason he shouldn't be the executive, fine, don't vote for him. But you should also look at the job that he's done here. To Shay, and there's plenty of people on the list, you've got Sleepy, Doc, Dopey, Conner, Blitzen. You have plenty of choices if you don't like Phil. Exactly right. A lot of choices. And if that's the deal breaker for you, that he signed a piece of paper saying he wouldn't run and now he is, then that's your prerogative. But I happen to look at the job that someone's doing before I make that call and go from there. And stop thinking you're getting some big time, you know, right wing conservative to run Jackson County. Okay? I mean, I was even talking to someone last night. I was at this, you know, Nathan Willett deal MC in it last night. And there were a couple of the Jackson County folks there. And the filing deadline was yesterday. And they're like, yeah, we even got a Republican to run for a county executive. And they were full well knowing that that person has absolutely no chance of winning. But they were just glad they got someone on the ballot, I guess. So good for them. All right. What if Kristi Noem's dog Cricket knew too much about her and her husband's personal life? Well, I think we need to go back and look at what actually happened at Cricket. Or as Scooby would say, Rob, Ro. Kristi Noem infamously bragged about killing her own dog Cricket. But I am in no way convinced now knowing that Kristi Noem's husband allegedly has been cross dressing for quite some time. Which allegedly Mr. Doubtfire. Yeah, that's fine. Miss Doubtfire. Yeah, that's fine. Then that allegedly drove Kristi Noem into the arms of Corey Lewandowski. And now she's acting shocked that this apparently was going on with her husband. Which I don't believe it's a surprise to her at all. I don't buy that for a second. But I think Cricket just saw too much at that house. Dear Abby, my husband, brazier size is larger than mine. What should I do? I think Cricket might have just offed himself and said, I'm done here. This place is too chaotic. And I can't help but think about this Seinfeld clip as well. Yeah, and? Tell him, Primm. He had breasts. What do you mean breasts? Big breasts. Oh, a lot of older men have that. No, not these. These were real hooters. I was throwing up all night. That was my own personal crying game. Oh, my gosh, you can't make up this news cycle sometimes. Holy smokes. Wow. Oh, it's so cool. My taxes in August. It's so awesome. Don't worry. I have an extension. It'll be fine. I like totally do it later. Stop. Do your friggin' taxes now. That was a really good fashion voice. Did you like it? You do that more frequently, please. Yes, every show from now on. Stacking Vegamins. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. We feature newsmaking interviews with the top guests on the whole planet. And I'll ask the questions you only dream of other interviewers asking. And a front row seat to the most important conversations of the day. It's a show with an obsessive focus on what's good for America. You are going to love Vince. The Vince Show. Follow and listen on your favorite platform.